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About USU

The mission of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is to educate, train and prepare uniformed services health professionals, officers and leaders to directly support the Military Health System, the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States and the readiness of our Armed Forces.

Academics

Since our first graduating class in 1982, the USU's MDs. Nurses and graduates in biomedical sciences provide exceptional service through service in the U.S. Military and civilian careers of distinction. Today, America's Medical School has 691 enrolled students and 5,043 graduates. Over 1,300 graduates in Biomedical Sciences lead aggressive research in medical research. Today's 663 graduates of the School of Nursing blend science, research and field training in advanced practice and PhD degrees. The USU's Postgraduate Dental College provides advanced degree's to the military's dental community, graduating 72 students since establishment.

Research At USU

The University's research program covers a range of clinical and other topics important to both the military and public health. Infectious diseases, trauma medicine, health maintenance, and cancer are areas of particular strength. Researchers are also making important new efforts in state-of-the-art fields that cut across disciplines, such as genomics, proteomics, and drug-delivery mechanisms.

Centers

USU is home to many different Centers and Institutes, which help advance the university's research, education and public service missions. Faculty members and students collaborate with other leading experts at USU's Centers and Institutes on projects that push incredible boundaries across manifold disciplines of biomedical science. Their work is shaping military medicine and world health in many positive, powerful ways.

Military At USU

The USU's military unique curriculum is supported by military professions from all services who teach USU's military and civilian students. All military personnel are supported by the USU Brigade, the Brigade staff are managed by the Military Personnel Office.

AFRRI At USU

AFRRI mission is to preserve the health and performance of U.S. military personnel and to protect humankind through research that advances understanding of the effects of ionizing radiation.

To these ends, the institute collaboratively researches the biological effects of ionizing radiation and provides medical training and emergency response to manage incidents related to radiation exposure.

TriService Nursing Research Program

Doctorally prepared nurses from the Army, Navy, and Air Force began meeting informally in 1988 at the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States convention. In fall 1990, representatives from all three services formed the Federal Nursing Research Interest Group; it later became the TriService Nursing Research Group (TSNR Group).

In spring 1991, these representatives, along with their respective Corps Chief or Directors, met with the National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR, now the National Institute for Nursing Research) to discuss how NCNR could assist the military services with developing a coordinated strategy of nursing research.

The meeting concluded with informal recognition of the TSNR Group by the Corps Chiefs and Directors and NCNR's commitment to consult on matters relevant to military nursing research. The TSNR Group became responsible for finding ways to promote military nursing research collectively and individually, within and across the services.

The 1996 U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization Act contained specific language authorizing TSNRP as part of the DoD Health Care Program, administered by the TSNR Group and established at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Relationship with Other Department of Defense Research Programs

A $5 million appropriation for TSNRP represents a modest portion of the total funds allocated for research in the DoD budget. The entire FY 1996 DoD appropriation of more than $243 billion included more than $36 billion for research, development, test, and evaluation. The $5 million TSNRP funds are incorporated in the $10 billion DoD health care appropriation (P.L. 104-61).

TSNRP dollars are intended entirely for nursing research—an area not addressed by other military research programs. Few, if any, doctorally prepared nurse researchers participate as investigators in other DoD medical research, development, test, and evaluation programs.

Authorization and Appropriations

Authorization and Appropriations

Fiscal Year

Appropriation

Authorization

1992

$1 million

S.R. 102-154

1993

$2 million

P.L. 102-396

1994

$3 million

H.R. 3116

1995

$5 million

H.R. 4650

1996

$5 million

104 USC 10

1988

Nurses from three services met informally at the AMSUS convention.

1990

Nurses from three services formed the Federal Nursing Research Interest Group (later TriService Nursing Research Group).

1991

TSNR Group met with National Center for Nursing Research.

1992

Initial $1 million appropriated for TSNRP under S.R. 102-154.

1996

TSNRP authorized as part of DoD Health Care Program established at USUHS.